Cycling

Nanaimo Cycling Map

Find your way around Nanaimo by bike with the Digital Cycling Map App.

Do you have thoughts or ideas for how we could make the cycling map even better? Have your say at GetInvolvedNanaimo.

Bike Theft Prevention with Project 529 Garage

529 Garage is a website and app where you can register your bike to protect against bike theft. If your bike is stolen, the registered information will help authorities find and return your bike to you.

GoByBike Weeks

Since 1997, Nanaimo cyclists have enjoyed some friendly competition during GoByBike weeks (formerly Bike to Work Week). GoByBike events now take place 2-3 times each year.

Interested in joining the fun? Check out the Nanaimo GoByBike website to register, join or start a team, and for more details on the next GoByBike event.

Bikes and Transit

Check out BC Transit’s webpage to learn how to use bike racks on buses here.

Evolve Bike Share

Have you noticed the blue e-bikes parked around Nanaimo? These bicycles are offered by BCAA's Evolve E-bike share program. 

Check out their website for more information.

Key Infrastructure Projects

Below are links to information on high profile new cycling projects in Nanaimo. For up-to-date information on all completed and in-progress transportation infrastructure projects in Nanaimo, visit the projects directory

• Metral Drive
• Front Street
• Bowen Road
• Albert St

Notice road construction and wonder what’s happening? Visit What’s Building in Nanaimo to find out.

Planning for Cycling

The City of Nanaimo uses two key documents to guide cycling facility planning and design:

The Transportation Master Plan, City Plan: Nanaimo Reimagined

This document contains the policies, targets, and maps that guide Nanaimo’s city planning, including planning for new cycling infrastructure projects. 

A few highlights:

• City Plan includes a target to multiply the number of cycling trips in Nanaimo five times by the year 2041.
• Schedule 3 shows a map of Nanaimo’s future active mobility network.
• The plan prioritizes new cycling infrastructure within “Urban Centres”, and supports efficient, centralized cycling connections between Urban Centres.

The Manual of Engineering Standards and Specifications 

This document guides the design and construction of all new City of Nanaimo civil engineering projects, and this includes new cycling facilities.

A few highlights:

• In 2020, Nanaimo City Council adopted the City’s first “Complete Streets” road design standards 
  

• Each street in Nanaimo is designated with a “street type” (e.g. Mobility Arterial, Urban Collector, Lane, Urban Local etc.). The MOESS includes ideal road “cross sections” for each street type. Cross sections show the various road elements that should be included in each street type, including the type of cycling facilities.